NYC's (and maybe America's!) favorite texting duo have given the Techyness the opportunity to guest post at the Flirtexting blog — allowing women everywhere to learn more about the gadgets that are truly an extension of ourselves.
"Flirtexting is a strategy. It goes beyond what you’re wearing or what your body language says (which is what is most important in real life flirting), mainly because it involves technology, gadgets, and 3G coverage."
So, these crazy sneaks, developed by Ricardo Nascimento and Tiago Martins, use the Twitter platform to ACTUALLY tweet every breath/step you take (tthanks sting)
Are they being serious?
Basically, it’s making fun of us for posting “every step we take” on twitter, foursquare, and the various other places we share details of our lives. (yes, I’m guilty too…)
How does it work?
A sensor embedded under the sole detects when the wearer is walking. Then, the info is sent via bluetooth to a mobile phone that makes the postings on Twitter.
When the sensor detects a certain amount of pressure, the word “step” is posted. For the other moments the “.” symbol is posted. Following these postings one can know if the wearer is walking or not and also predict his speed.
What’s next?
Look for continued integration of technology and our physical “stuff” (clothes, shoes, etc.) Most of what we buy now is designed to “integrate” with our devices (think iPhone, blackberry pockets), but as component costs continue to decrease, people are going to have more fun experimenting…
Even if you prefer Marshmellow Peeps, Sweethearts … those little candies we all know and love, have been around for 145 years — and seen it through many technologies.
According to USA Today, it all started with an online survey that Sweethearts took last year that asked consumers to suggest the next Sweetheart candy saying, and received more than 10,000 replies.
Tweet Me lapped the field.
Text Me rated a distant second.
Love Bug — inspired by a Jonas Brothers hit song, was third.
Tweet Me isn't the first "high-tech" phrase to land on the top of a candy heart. But the past techy phrases — Fax Me and Email Me — don't seem as … social.
What's next? Post what you think is missing from the candy hearts in the comments.
If you’re interested in how to start a blog, it comes down to a few key factors.
1) Pick a Topic & Niche
There are lots of technology blogs. fashion blogs. photography blogs, social media blogs. How is your blog different than the rest? Why should people read it?
2) BRAND BRAND BRAND
Create your own header image, logo, and byline. Choose a photo of yourself If you’re not good with Photoshop (or you don’t have a copy) try Picnik (free web-based tool), GIMP (open source photo editing platform). For additional information and tips on personal branding, check out Dan Schwabel’s blog.
3) Buy a Domain & Hosting
Do your research ahead of time. Check out what’s available easily at GoDaddy or any major domain registrar. It’s also a good idea to visit UsernameCheck.com to see anyone has registered your full name/username across social media platforms and sites.
4) Install WordPress
WordPress (what I use for the techyness) is awesome, open-source and free. If you have your own domain and want extra control over your theme and settings, you’ll have to buy hosting and install the wordpress software using this easy install guide. Some hosting services will install it for you, too.
5) Determine a Content Strategy
Since you’ve already decided on a topic and niche, content strategy is next. What are you going to post? What’s in scope and out of scope? Your blog should have an identity.
6) Formulate a Posting Calendar
Set up a timeline – how often will you post?
WordPress and most blogging software allows you to schedule posts ahead of time- so take advantage of this functionality to ensure the information on your blog is current.
So you want to buy a gadget, or something techy for that special someone in your life? How about taking a romantic twist on a gift?
For the past few years, I have taken on a new role… gift consultant. Sure, you might ask, how are you qualified? Maybe it’s because I watch a lot of movies, have a strong imagination, or just because I’m a hopeless romantic.
First, I’ll take you through a few Valentine’s Day gift scenarios I have passed along to close friends. I hope you’ll find some inspiration… but please leave a comment with your suggestions on cute and romantic gifts you have done for someone on Valentine’s Day.
Gift Scenario 1: Girlfriend likes to cook. Boyfriend would like to continue this hobby.
Outcome: Boyfriend purchased an apron from Williams-Sonoma ($19) in girlfriend’s favorite color along with some cooking supplies. Sounds normal right? Take it up the extra notch by writing a note and having it embroidered on the bottom of the apron. LOVE.
Online Tools: I would recommend having the apron embroidered locally. But if you want something embroidered that is “standard” you can order it from any online embroidery website.
Gift Scenario 2: Girlfriend wants a dog and something from Tiffany. Boyfriend does not want to buy her a dog.
Outcome: Boyfriend purchases the same dog that girlfriend wants, but a stuffed animal dog, and puts the Tiffany necklace around it’s neck. Then puts it in a box with holes in it. done.
Gift Scenario 3: Girlfriend wants a digital camera. Boyfriend buys digital camera. Gift consultant (me) recommends making it a little more romantic.
Outcome: Camera is purchased. Boyfriend takes camera out of the box and charges it without disrupting the packaging. Boyfriend takes photos of clues that lead to each other and finally ends at something romantic (roses, dinner, etc.). Another suggestion is to have photos of boyfriend holding up cards saying “I love you” on the camera, so when she turns the camera on, they are there!
Of course, the inspiration for this was Love Actually, with the cards…
please share your ideas in the comments! What gifts have you passed along to someone you <3? What are your valentine’s day plans?
Don’t lie and tell me you haven’t typed it into Google.
I know I have (does that make me lame?) Anyway, regardless of my additions to Google search trends, I’ve come up with a short list of places that I search in order to find stuff to do on the weekend.*
Source #1: Twitter
First, you can always use third party twitter applications to find out what people are doing in and around your city. Try Trazzler, a site that recommends hand-picked trips unique to your location and “Travel Personality” (it’s kicked off via Facebook Connect). Plus our boys/twitter co-founders Biz Stone and Evan Williams are founding advisers.
Trazzler Buzz list is determined via Twitter updates on certain destinations. If you want to see what activity is trending now, check it out. But what adds value is the site itself sends you directly to the website/location of the place being mentioned in the tweet itself.
Source #2 E-mail Newsletters (but cool ones)
Urbandaddy is a free (and very uncorporate) daily digest of cool restaurant, club, event and shopping recommendations based on either the local or national level. Plus you can sometimes get free invites to openings. If you live in any of the following 11 cities, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Jetset, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, National, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC, you’re lucky, because you have your own UrbanDaddy edition.
Thrilllist, similar to Urban Daddy, is another digest filled with (oftentimes) really random and awesome stuff that’s going on around you. Again, you’re lucky if you live in any of these cities… New York offers essential, city-centric info about NYC. LA, SF, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Dallas, the Hamptons, Austin, Seattle and Washington, DC. If you’re more of a “nation” event watcher, you’re in luck, as a national edition is offered.
Source #3: Online/Social Travel Guides
I recently stumbled upon Schmap as one source of information for social-based travel information that you can download to your mobile device. You can download city guides.
Some believe that technology is better left at home while one is attending formal events.
But what about gadgets that define elegance?
While at a black tie event in Baltimore over the weekend (and trying to stuff gadgets into my small clutch) I realized that having elegant gadgets are part of the overall “look” at one of these events (have you ever seen someone reach into their bag and reveal an old school camera or cell?)
1) Keep it Clean. We use our gadgets and they can get dirty. We drop them. We run them over with our cars. We spill coffee on them. Keep them clean with disposable electronics wipes and a simple eyeglass cloth.
2) Pocket-Sized Everything. Small gadgets are more elegant. Plus, they fit in your purse. I like the small cameras from Canon (I like the all-black ones) and anything imported from Japan.
3) Covers should be Tame. Take off that leopard print or zebra cover unless it matches your dress (yikes). Instead, stick with the classic, simple look.
4) Ringtones should be silenced. It’s not a good idea to have JT’s “Sexy Back” or Kiesha’s ”Tik Tok” blast from your cell in the middle of dinner or a conversation with your date’s boss. Keep it classy.
5) Focus on the Event. The gadgets are there to keep digital memories (live streaming, digital photos, twitter and foursquare updates) of your event. But what’s really important is that you’re there and enjoying it. Your gadgets should add to the event, not take you away from it.
In my previous posts, I have called out kiosks (mainly movie ticket kiosks) for failing miserably in the "blue screen of death" kind of manner.
However, I would like to point out that not all kiosks are created equal-oh no- and one company that amazes me in this department is sephora.
Not only is the kiosk itself well designed, but iso is the UI of the touch screen navigation.
The company responsible is ZoomSystems, an entreprenurial venture that launched in 2002 and got its "big break" when they entered into a contract with federated department stores/macys. ZoomSystems is headquarted in San Francisco but has expanded into Japan.
It makes me want to buy things. Vending machines for grown ups
According to the Barbie homepage, everyone's favorite blonde bombshell has had over 120 careers. Sure, we're all used to Doctor Barbie, Model Barbie, Racecar driver Barbie… but what about a Barbie that can give hope to blonde, techy, logic-abiding girls with career ambition in the technology industry?
Bottom Line: Looks and technology can, in-fact mesh well.
dustice This will single-handedly turn CS into a female dominated major. **
Badofold [S] I'm fine with that.
** In the United States, the number of women represented in engineering and information technology peaked in the late 1980s. Since then, the percentage of women in the computing profession declined from 35.2% in 1990 to 28.4% in 2000.Particularly in computer science, there has been a dramatic drop in women earning bachelor's degrees. A report from the Computing Research Association indicated that the number recently fell below 20%, from nearly 40% in the mid 80s (via Wikipedia)
Over the past two weeks, I feel like my life has been one big blur where I move from car -> airport -> airport -> home -> airport -> houston?
It is during times like these where it is best to collect points: Airline Points, Hotel Points, Rental Car Points, and Foursquare points.
What is it? Foursquare is part game, part social networking, part GPS. Combine them all together and you have an application (apps for iPhone, Android & Blackberry) that allows you to “check in” at a certain location, give short (tweet-like) tips, all while earning points and location-based badges.
Badges.. I don’t want no stinkin’ badges..
Oh, but you do! Especially when organizations, non-profits, and local businesses get involved and come up with fun ideas like the City of San Francisco, who partnered with foursquare to launch the “BART Badge.”
According to Bart.gov, the BART-themed badge that can be unlocked by regular riders of BART, which provides train service in the San Francisco Bay Area. BART will award $25 promotional tickets each month for the next three months to riders chosen at random from all the riders who have logged Foursquare check-ins at BART stations, starting in November.
So, you’re probably wondering why I am new to this whole foursquare business. Well…
Miss Techyness is a 20-something, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, pearl-wearing, IT-careergirl, blackberry-using, Mac-loving, former homecoming queen and Syracuse University Alum. This is her personal blog.
The opinions expressed on this blog and on the millennious podcast are Alana's personal opinions and do not represent that of her employer, groups, or anything else past, present, or future.
